GearClean is a full-service, professional company that offers inspection, repair, and cleaning services for your valuable firefighter turnout gear. GearClean offers a fully-engineered cleaning system for fire fighting ensembles that has been proven to completely wash and sanitize equipment. And like many front loading wash systems are prone to do, GearClean does not damage your turnout gear. Along with our patented cleaning system, GearClean also offers advanced inspection and repair services. Our technicians are fully trained in the inspection and repair of moisture barriers, as well as all other components of the ensemble. All of our cleaning, inspection, and repair services will ensure your gear is in compliance with NFPA 1851.

NFPA 1851

National Fire Protection Association 1851 is the Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Structural Fire Fighting Protective Ensembles. Compliance with this standard includes, but is not limited to, the following requirements:

• Advanced inspections—minimum of every 12 months (or as a result of a routine inspection)
• Advanced cleaning—minimum of every six months
• Specialized cleaning—whenever ensembles are contaminated
• Repairs—As necessary, by trained personnel
• Documentation—Required for all of the above.

GearClean has the experience and trained personnel to bring you into compliance with NFPA 1851.

Why do I need GearClean?

In addition to absorbing smoke and body odors, your turnout gear harbors bacteria and other contaminants that can be absorbed into the body through the skin. Medical studies have shown that firefighters who are exposed over time to the chemicals, toxins, and carcinogens that are part of their daily lives have a cancer rate twice that of the general population. In addition, if gear is not properly cleaned, thick layers of potentially flammable materials and hydrocarbons can build up on the outer surface of the equipment, placing you in danger of having your protective gear ignited while fighting a fire.

Proper cleaning and sanitation of turnout gear eliminates contamination, protects you, and keeps your gear in service longer. Our cleaning system meets or exceeds all OSHA and NFPA 1851 guidelines. In most cases, we have the ability to restore your gear to like-new condition after it has been contaminated, eliminating the need for condemnation and costly gear replacement.

While cleaning and sanitizing equipment regularly will keep your gear NFPA 1851-compliant, inspection and repair of damaged equipment will also extend gear life. GearClean has trained personnel to inspect firefighter gear using a certified Gore machine to test the ensemble’s moisture barrier and ensure the gear is safe for continued use.

How does GearClean work?

GearClean utilizes the Esporta Wash System, which is clinically proven to kill contaminants and ensure the highest level of hygiene and safety. Independent lab testing has demonstrated that our patented process kills 99.9997% of the harmful bacteria that can be found in your equipment.

The water-based, multi-step process uses no dangerous ozone gases or environmentally hazardous dry cleaning chemicals. Instead, the patented, four-step washing process forces detergents and disinfectants deep into the foam/fabrics of your equipment, killing and removing the bacteria and germs that cause odors and dangerous infections.

The Esporta Wash System expertly cleans and sanitizes your gear without deteriorating fabrics, reducing the effectiveness of reflective material or the waterproof/ fireproof characteristics of the gear, or damaging hard goods, such as helmets. The patented technology holds items secure while hydraulically forcing environmentally-friendly cleaning chemicals through thick padding, foams, leathers, and other items that may be difficult to clean. Variables, such as water temperature and drum speed are controlled and monitored to protect your gear.